Jakarta – The National Internship Program initiated by the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker) is considered effective in preparing competent human resources (HR) ready to enter the workforce. This program is considered capable of bridging the gap between education and industry needs, especially for recent college graduates with minimal work experience.
This was conveyed by Netty Prasetiyani, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, in response to the government’s continued expansion of the National Internship Program. She stated that the Ministry of Manpower’s move to introduce a structured internship program is a crucial breakthrough in improving the competitiveness of the Indonesian workforce amidst an increasingly competitive job market.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Manpower’s ability to provide fresh graduates, university graduates, with the opportunity to gain knowledge, learning, and experience through the National Internship Program,” Netty said in a press release in Jakarta.
Netty believes that many college graduates possess adequate academic abilities but struggle with a lack of practical experience when entering the workforce. Through internship programs, participants are not only equipped with technical skills relevant to their fields but also introduced to the work culture, professionalism, and performance demands of the industrial and business world.
“This program not only provides work experience, but also builds the mental readiness and competency of new graduates to be more adaptable to the real world of work,” he explained.
Furthermore, Netty stated that this program has the potential to be a strategic tool in reducing unemployment, particularly among the younger generation and recent graduates. With the direct involvement of business and industry, the opportunities for interns to be recruited into the permanent workforce are considered increasingly open.
“It’s not impossible that this program will become a milestone in reducing unemployment and providing opportunities for fresh graduates to find work at their internship locations,” said Netty.
He also urged continued evaluation and improvement of the program’s quality, including curriculum, mentoring, and the alignment of internship placements with participants’ educational backgrounds. He believes a measurable and sustainable program will have a tangible impact on improving the quality of national human resources.
“The government needs to ensure that this program is implemented in an inclusive, transparent, and results-oriented manner, so that it truly becomes a solution for producing a competent, productive workforce that is ready to compete in the national and global job markets,” he concluded.